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Born: March 21, 1960

Presbybop Music is a musical venture of Bill Carter, jazz pianist and Presbyterian minister.

After years of pretending to split the life of faith from the music of jazz, Bill has been trying to find links between the two halves of his brain. Presbybop Music is his attempt to integrate his strong Presbyterian faith with the rhythms of bebop.

In 1993 he formed the Presbybop Quartet with Al Hamme, his college music professor from Binghamton University. Together with drummer Tom Whaley and bassist Tony Marino, the band has been turning heads on the musical scene - and adding new dimensions to the faith and worship of the Christian church....
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Presbybop Music is a musical venture of Bill Carter, jazz pianist and Presbyterian minister.

After years of pretending to split the life of faith from the music of jazz, Bill has been trying to find links between the two halves of his brain. Presbybop Music is his attempt to integrate his strong Presbyterian faith with the rhythms of bebop.

In 1993 he formed the Presbybop Quartet with Al Hamme, his college music professor from Binghamton University. Together with drummer Tom Whaley and bassist Tony Marino, the band has been turning heads on the musical scene - and adding new dimensions to the faith and worship of the Christian church.

Based in northeastern Pennsylvania, this group of consummate professionals has presented concerts and jazz worship services in churches around the country. Their music has been widely acclaimed. To date, Bill's Presbybop Quartet has recorded four compact discs: Faith in a New Key, Dancing Day, Fragile Incarnation, and Stand On Your Head.

Bill Carter spends most of his time as a busy pastor in a bustling church. Yet he keenly senses that God wants him to use his musical gifts as a means of reaching people with the good news of God's grace, peace, and joy. His jazz ministry has received national recognition, and has served as a model for integrating the arts in Christian ministry.

CD/LP/Track Review

Bill Carter is a great piano player. I think his music is wonderful, and I highly recommend his recordings. - Dave Brubeck

Can any of you jazz fans out there imagine what it would be like if Dave Brubeck was living a double life, one as a Presbyterian minister and the other as a piano-playing leader of a jazz quartet? The Rev. Bill Carter and his jazz band, named after both of his vocations, answer that musical question. Not only does the Presbybop Quartet sound like Brubeck's classic 1950s group, the famous jazz pianist is a fan of this current aggregation. - Charlie Ricci - www.rambles.net

Now we applaud the efforts of Presbyterian pastor and jazz pianist Bill Carter...

Bill Carter is a great piano player. I think his music is wonderful, and I highly recommend his recordings. - Dave Brubeck

Can any of you jazz fans out there imagine what it would be like if Dave Brubeck was living a double life, one as a Presbyterian minister and the other as a piano-playing leader of a jazz quartet? The Rev. Bill Carter and his jazz band, named after both of his vocations, answer that musical question. Not only does the Presbybop Quartet sound like Brubeck's classic 1950s group, the famous jazz pianist is a fan of this current aggregation. - Charlie Ricci - www.rambles.net

What Bill Carter and the Presbybop Quartet have done with some classically religious pieces is just wonderful. It opens new ways of hearing old -- and favorite -- and powerful pieces. And adds some new things, too! For me, it continually expands my mind and soul. - Art Sundstrom, Chevy Chase Presbyterian Church